Three state lawmakers who represent portions of Leavenworth County have scheduled a public forum to hear community concerns about plans by Tyson Foods Inc. to build a $320 million poultry processing plant south of Tonganoxie.

Democratic Sen.Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, along with Republican Reps. Jim Karleskint, of Tonganoxie, and Willie Dove, of Bonner Springs, will co-host the forum.

Some community members have expressed concern that the 1,600 relatively low-paying jobs that the plant will generate will change the character of the Tonganoxie area. They have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of such a large animal-processing facility and the way the proposed deal came about.

The forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Chieftain Park, 206 N. Main St., in Tonganoxie, according to a social media post by Karleskint. The forum was moved from its original location, VFW Post 9271.

There was over 1,000 in attendence at last Saturday's Community Meeting. There was a microphone avaiable for comments. There will be another this weekend with State Represenatives. We expect 2,000. Please feel free to come out from behind your keyboards and make your snide comments in public. I can get you on the agenda.